TCTA testifies on teacher prep issues, disciplinary sanctions during SBEC meeting
TCTA testified during the State Board for Educator Certification's meeting this week to share concerns about the increasingly lengthy timelines to investigate claims of educator misconduct as SBEC creates rules to implement new state laws.
SB 12 allows SBEC to issue sanctions if a school district employee attempts to encourage or coerce a child to withhold information from the child’s parent. SB 571 creates a Temporary Suspension Committee that is charged with issuing temporary suspensions of educators’ certificates in certain circumstances. SBEC is charged with creating rules that incorporate these statutory changes and is also charged with investigating complaints in response to new reporting requirements imposed on school districts by SB 571.
TCTA testified that it is concerned about the length of time it is taking to investigate and resolve complaints. Long investigation times harm teachers who have not been found to have engaged in misconduct but are labeled as “under investigation” while cases are reviewed. These teachers may experience difficulties when renewing certificates or seeking new employment.
TCTA also testified on how SBEC will define “imminent threat" in determining which cases will be presented to the Temporary Suspension Committee. TCTA recommends that a time limit be placed on SBEC to take action for imminent threat cases, with a stipulation that if the time limit is not met, the case is not, in fact, “imminent” and should proceed through regular disciplinary channels instead.
Board members also discussed rules for new investments in teacher preparation programs from House Bill 2. Click here to read more.
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